MX2014012596A

MX2014012596A - Sliding shower door guide and drain assembly.

Info

Publication number: MX2014012596A
Application number: MX2014012596A
Authority: MX
Inventors: James Allen Austin Iii
Original assignee: Liberty Hardware Mfg Corp
Priority date: 2014-01-28
Filing date: 2014-10-17
Publication date: 2015-07-27
Also published as: CA2859532A1; CA2859532C; US9433325B2; MX362236B; US20150208874A1; EP2898806A1

Abstract

A guide and drain assembly has a drain channel with a base wall and first and second side walls extending along a longitudinal axis, and a cover extending over the channel. The cover has at least one guide channel extending along the longitudinal axis and positioned between first and second edge members. The at least one guide channel is formed by a first base section positioned between first and second sides. The at least one guide channel is sized to receive an edge portion of a sliding door of a shower door assembly. The base section of the at least one guide channel defines a series of apertures extending longitudinally and providing fluid communication between the guide channel and the drain channel.

Description

GUIDE FOR SLIDING SHOWER DOOR AND DRAIN ASSEMBLY FIELD OF THE INVENTION Several modalities refer to a guide system for a sliding door, such as a shower door assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Shower enclosures often have glass doors that slide to close the bathroom area and keep liquid water and / or steam in the bathroom area. Shower enclosures can also have a separate continuous drainage system adjacent to the entrance to the enclosure of the shower to drain liquid water from the enclosure of the shower.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to a modality, an assembly guide is provided with a drainage channel having a base wall and first and second side walls extending along a longitudinal axis. A cover extends over the channel. The cover has a first guide channel and a second guide channel that is they extend longitudinally and separated from each other by an intermediate member. The first guide channel is of such size to place an edge portion of a first sliding door of a shower door assembly. The second guide channel is of such size to place an edge portion of a second sliding door of the shower door assembly. A base section of the first channel defines a first series of openings that provide fluid communication between the first channel and the channel of drainage. A base section of the second channel defines a second series of openings that provide fluid communication between the second channel and the drain channel.

According to another modality, a guide and drainage assembly for sliding doors is provided. A drainage channel has a base wall and first and second side walls that extend along a longitudinal axis. A cover extends over the channel. The cover has a first guide channel formed by a first base section located between the first and second sides, and a second guide channel formed by a second base section located between the third and fourth sides. The first and second guide channels extend longitudinally and are separated from each other by an intermediate member. A first edge member extends outwardly from the first guide channel, and a second edge member extends outwardly from the second channel. as guide. The first guide channel is of such size to place a part of a first sliding door of a shower door assembly. The second guide channel is of such size to place an edge portion of a second sliding door of the shower door assembly. A base section of the first channel defines a first series of openings extending longitudinally in the first channel and providing fluid communication between the first channel and the drain channel. A base section of the second channel defines a second series of openings extending longitudinally in the first channel and providing fluid communication between the second channel and the drain channel. The intermediate member of the cover defines a third series of openings extending longitudinally and in fluid communication with the drainage channel.

According to yet another embodiment, a drainage guide and assembly is provided. A drainage channel has a base wall and first and second side walls that extend along a longitudinal axis. A cover extends over the channel. The cover has at least one guide channel extending along the longitudinal axis and located between the first and second edge members. The at least one guide channel is formed by a first base section located between the first and second sides. The at least one guide channel is of such size to place a edge part of a sliding door of a shower door assembly. The base section of the at least one guide channel defines a series of longitudinally extending openings and provide fluid communication between the guide channel and the drain channel.

Various modalities of the present description have non-exhaustive associated advantages. For example, the drainage guide and assembly provide a unique component for placement at the entrance to a shower enclosure. The assembly provides a drainage function for the shower, which is partially hidden by the sliding shower doors, where liquid water flows through a cover and into a drainage channel. The cover includes guide channels that act as guides so that the sliding doors maintain the movement of the sliding doors in a single plane of movement and prevent the doors from moving perpendicularly to the plane or longitudinal sliding direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a shower assembly having sliding doors according to one embodiment; FIGURE 2 is a front perspective view of the assembly of shower of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a top perspective view of the shower assembly of Figure 1; FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the shower assembly of Figure 1; FIGURE 5 is a detailed view of a guide and drain assembly in the shower assembly of Figure 4 according to one embodiment; Y FIGURE 6 is a top perspective view of a cover for use with the guide and drain assembly of Figure 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As required, the detailed embodiments of the present invention are described herein; however, it is understood that the described embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention that may be carried out in several alternative ways. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, the specific functional and structural details described herein are not to be construed as limiting, but simply as a representative basis for indicating to a person skilled in the art how to employ the present invention in various ways.

Figures 1-4 illustrate a shower enclosure 10 according to one embodiment. The shower enclosure 10 has one or more walls 12, and a floor 13. A shower head, valves for controlling the flow and temperature of the water to the shower head can be provided inside the enclosure 10.

The walls 12 and the threshold 14 cooperate to provide an opening or entrance to the shower enclosure 10 for accessing or exiting the shower enclosure 10. The opening may be covered by a sliding door 16. In other modalities, the doors 16 may be mounted from rotating way to shower enclosure 10.

The sliding doors 16 can be framed or unframed glass panels, can be made from a plastic panel or from another material known in the art. The doors 16 can be one or more bars or hooks for towels 18 mounted to the door.

The sliding doors 16 are hung in an upper groove 20. The upper groove 20 can be mounted on two side walls 12 or a roof or top wall (not shown). The sliding doors 16 have a mechanism (not shown) such as a roller system or the like, which allows the sliding doors to run along a longitudinal axis 22. The upper groove 20 may have a pair of guide rails, one for each mechanism in each door 16 so that the doors are out of phase between if along a transverse or lateral axis 24. This also allows one door to slide behind the other, and vice versa, the opening to the enclosure 10 is opened and closed. In other embodiments, a single sliding door can be provided, which slides on an adjacent wall section when open, for example, one of the door panels as shown may be fixed in place while the other is movable.

An integrated guide and drainage assembly or system 26 which guides the sliding doors 16 and provides drainage is provided at the threshold of the opening to the shower enclosure 10. The assembly 26 replaces a conventional lower groove and separate drainage system near the threshold .

Generally, sliding shower doors are provided with a guidance system to cause the doors to remain in their intended travel plane as they move. In conventional systems, the guide system may include a lower groove attached to the threshold of the shower enclosure that has physical parts such as fins or the like to limit the movement of the doors perpendicular to the travel plane or in the lateral direction 24. The conventional lower groove and associated physical parts may be visually unattractive, and may provide a place for the accumulation of dirt and / or grime. Shower enclosures may also be provided with a continuous drainage system located at the entrance to the bathing area, or near the threshold, and separated from the lower furrow. These drains are often rectangular in shape and covered by a grid, such as a metal grid. Perforated to allow water to enter the drainage system and exit the shower enclosure.

The assembly 26 of the present description replaces both the conventional lower guide groove and continuous drain system. The assembly 26 is formed in such a way that it functions as both a drainage grid and a guide mechanism for the shower doors 16. The assembly 26 also eliminates the need for a bottom groove for the shower door assembly. The assembly 26 can provide an improved visual appearance for the shower door assembly, since the drainage system is less visible, and the lower groove can protrude less in the opening to the shower enclosure.

Figure 5 illustrates assembly 26 in more detail and is a view taken along the longitudinal axis of the assembly. Figure 6 illustrates a top view illustrating a cover member for assembly 26. The assembly can extend the length of the opening to the shower enclosure, for example, from the wall 12 to the wall 12 as shown in Figure 2.

The assembly 26 has a drainage channel 28. The drainage channel 28 has a base frame 30 and a first and second side walls 32, 34 that extend along the longitudinal axis 22. The drainage channel 28 can have a generally rectangular cross section, such as it shows. The drain channel 28 can define an opening for connecting an accessory to a drain pipe (not shown). The base wall 30 of the drainage channel may be inclined towards the opening for draining water, and the opening may be located adjacent one end of the channel. Drainage channel 28 may have a pair of extreme 36 on opposite ends of channel 28.

The assembly 26 also has a cover member or cover 38. The cover 38 extends over the drainage channel 28 to cover the drainage channel, and has a length approximately equal to or greater than the length of the drainage channel 28, and a width that is approximately equal to or greater than the width of the drainage channel 28. Drainage channel 28 and cover 38 can manufactured from a metal such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, or may be made from another suitable material.

The cover 38 has at least one guide channel, with a guide channel provided by each sliding door. The cover 38 as shown has a first guide channel 40 and a second guide channel 42. The guide channels 40, 42 extend longitudinally and generally may be parallel to each other.

The first guide channel 40 is sized to place an edge portion 44 of a first sliding door 16 of a shower door assembly. The edge part 44 can be a frameless glass panel as shown, or it can be a guide to a frame that surrounds a panel. The first guide channel 40 has a base section 46 and first and second side portions 48, 50. The base section 46 is positioned between and connected to a lower edge of the first and second side portions 48, 50. The first channel of guide 40 allows longitudinal movement of the door 16 and limits the transverse movement of the sliding door 16 using the side portions 48, 50. The first and second side portions 48, 50 may be parallel to each other as shown, and perpendicular to each other. the base section 46. In other modalities, the parts and sections 46, 48, 50 may be in other angles to each other. A dimension of the side portions 48, 50 in the vertical direction may be greater than a dimension of the base section 46 in the lateral direction 24.

The second guide channel 42 is sized to place an edge portion 52 of a second sliding door 16 of a shower door assembly. The second guide channel 42 has a base section 54 and first and second side portions 56, 58. The base section 54 is positioned between and connected to a lower edge of the first and second side portions 56, 58. The second channel of guide 42 allows longitudinal movement of the door 16 and limits the transverse movement of the sliding door 16 using the side portions 56, 58. The first and second side portions 56, 58 may be parallel to each other as shown, and perpendicular to each other. the base section 54. In other embodiments, the sections 54,56,58 may be other angles to each other. A dimension of the sideparts 56,58 in the vertical direction may be greater than a dimension of the base section 54 in the lateral direction 24. In one example, the second guide channel 42 has the same dimensions as the first guide channel 40.

The two guide channels 40, 42 are separated by an intermediate member 60. The intermediate member 60. The intermediate member 60 is connected to the upper part or edge of the parts lateral 48, 56.

A first edge member 62 extends outwardly or transversely from the first guide channel 40 or may be connected to a top portion or edge of the side portion 50. The first edge member 62 extends from the first guide channel 40. towards wall 32 of drain channel 28.

A second edge member 64 extends outwardly or transversely from the second guide channel 42 or may be connected to a top portion or edge of the side portion 58. The second edge member 64 extends from the second guide channel 42 toward the wall 34 of the drainage channel 28.

The sides 48, 50, 56, 58 of the guide channels extend between and connect the edge members 62, 64 to the base sections 46, 54, and the base sections 46, 54 to the intermediate member 60. In one example, sides 48, 50, 56, 58 are parallel to each other. The base sections 46, 54 may be defined by a common bottom plane or, alternatively, may be defined by two different planes that are parallel or non-parallel to each other. The edge members 62, 64 and the intermediate member 60 can be defined by a common top plane or, alternatively, they can be defined by two or three different planes that are parallel or not parallel to each other. In a further example, the upper plane and the lower plane are parallel to each other.

The drainage openings or holes are provided through the cover 38 to allow water to drain from the shower enclosure or bath area into the drainage channel 28, as can be seen in Figure 6. A base section 46 of the first channel 40 defines a series of openings 66 that extend longitudinally in the first channel 40 and provide fluid communication between the first channel 40 and the drain channel 28. The base section 54 of the second channel 42 defines a series of openings 68 that extend longitudinally in the second channel 42 and provide fluid communication between the second channel 42 and the drain channel 28.

In some examples, the intermediate member of the cover defines a series of openings 70 extending longitudinally and in fluid communication with the drain channel 28. The first edge member 62 defines a series of openings 72 in fluid communication with the drain channel 28. The second edge member 64 defines a series of openings 74 in fluid communication with the drain channel 28. In some examples, the cover 38 has openings as described above, in other examples, the cover 38 may have openings, as described previously, in some of the members and sections and not in others. For example, the cover 38 may not have openings in the member due to being located on the other side of the shower enclosure from the doors 16.

The openings in one of the series of openings can have the same size or can be of various sizes. Similarly, openings in a series compared to another series may be the same size or different sizes.

The openings in a series of openings can be elongated, so that one dimension along the longitudinal axis 22 is greater than one dimension along the transverse axis 24. The openings in a series of openings, for example, the series 66 or 68, may be separated from one end 36 of the assembly or one end of the cover 38 by not more than one length of an opening taken along the longitudinal axis 22. The openings in a series may have a longitudinal length that is greater that a transversal width of the channel omiembro in elcualtán formed. The openings in a series of openings can be an elongated rectangle with curved corners as shown or, alternatively, they can be of other shapes, including, but not limited to, circles, ellipses, rectangles and other shapes. The openings in a series of openings can be aligned by their ends as shown or, alternatively, may be arranged in another manner, for example, located so that the openings are transversely elongated or have an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis 22.

The cover 38 may be formed of a metal, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, or other suitable material, including plastic. In one example, the cover 38 is formed of a flat sheet or plate and is folded, extruded, or the like, to form the channels. A cross section of the cover 38 may have a W-shape. The openings may be made by means of a machine or otherwise formed in the cover before or after the channels are formed.Alternatively, if the cover 38 is molded or formed in a similar manner, the shape of the openings can be formed simultaneously.

A door assembly can be installed in the shower enclosure as follows. The guide assembly 26 is installed in an opening in the bath area or shower enclosure in a threshold 14 of the opening. A groove 20 is provided and installed on the guide assembly 26. The sliding doors 16 are connected to the groove 20 so that they can be longitudinally moved along the groove 20, and with their respective lower edge portions 44, 52 located within the channels of guide 40, 42 of assembly 26.

While exemplary embodiments were previously described, these embodiments are not intended to describe all possible forms of the invention. On the contrary, the wording used in the specification is one of description and not limitation, and it is understood that several changes may be made. without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the characteristics of various implementation modalities may be combined to create other embodiments of the invention.

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention as above, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following is claimed as property: CLAIMS

1. A guide assembly comprising: a drainage channel having a base wall and first and second side walls extending along a longitudinal axis; and a cover extending over the channel, with a first guide channel and a second guide channel extending longitudinally and separated by an intermediate member, where the first guide channel is of such size to place a portion of the guide channel. At the edge of a first sliding door of a shower door assembly, the second guide channel is of such size to place an edge part of a sliding second door of the shower door assembly; wherein a base section of the first channel defines a first series of openings that provide fluid communication between the first channel and the drain channel; and where a base section of the second channel defines a second series of openings that provide communication fluid between the second channel and the drainage channel.

2. The guide assembly of claim 1, wherein the first guide channel allows longitudinal movement and limits the transverse movement of the first sliding door; and where the second guide channel allows longitudinal movement and limits the transverse movement of the second sliding door.

3. The guide assembly of claim 1, wherein the intermediate member of the cover defines a third series of openings in fluid communication with the drain channel.

4. The guide assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a first edge member extending transverse outwardly from the first channel.

5. The guide assembly of claim 4, wherein the first edge member defines a series of openings in fluid communication with the drain channel.

6. The guide assembly of claim 4, wherein the cover further comprises a second member of edge extending transversely outwardly from the second channel.

7. The guide fabric of claim 6, wherein the second edge member defines a series of openings in fluid communication with the drain channel.

8. The guide fabric of claim 1, wherein the first and second series of openings extend longitudinally.

9. The guide assembly of claim 1, wherein an opening of the first series of openings is separated from one end of the first channel by no more than one length of an opening.

10. The guide assembly of claim 1, wherein each opening in the first series of openings is longitudinally elongated.

11. The guide assembly of claim 1, wherein each opening in the first series of openings has a longitudinal length that is greater than a transverse width of the first channel.

12. A method for installing a shower door assembly, wherein the method comprises: installing a guide assembly according to claim 1 in an opening that faces a bathing area, where the guide assembly is installed in a threshold of the opening; provide a groove for a first sliding door on the guide assembly; and installing a first sliding door in the curb with a lower edge of the first door placed within a first channel.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising installing a shower sliding door in the groove with a lower edge of the second door positioned within the second channel.

14. A guide and drainage assembly for sliding doors comprising: a drainage channel having a base wall and first and second side walls extending along a longitudinal axis; and a cover extending over the channel, with a first guide channel formed by a first base section located between the first and second sides, and a second guide channel formed by a second base section located between the third and fourth sides, the first and second guide channels extend longitudinally and are separated by an intermediate member, a first edge member extending outwardly from the first guide channel and a second edge member that is extends outward from the second guide channel, the first guide channel is of such size to place an edge portion of a first sliding door of a shower door assembly, the second guide channel is of such size to place a edge part of a second sliding door of the shower door assembly; wherein a base section of the first channel defines a first series of openings extending longitudinally in the first channel and providing fluid communication between the first channel and the drain channel; wherein a base section of the second channel defines a second series of openings extending longitudinally in the first channel and providing fluid communication between the second channel and the drain channel; and wherein the intermediate member of the cover defines a third series of openings extending longitudinally and in fluid communication with the drainage channel.

15. Guide and Drain Element of Claim 14, where the first edge member defines a fourth series of openings in fluid communication with the drain channel; and where second edge member defines a fifth series of openings in fluid communication with the drain channel.

16. The drainage guide element of claim 14, wherein the first and second base sections are located along a lower plane of the cover; and wherein the intermediate member, the first edge member and the second edge member are located along an upper plane of the cover, where the upper plane is parallel to the lower plane.

17. The guide and drainage assembly of claim 16, wherein the first and second sides extend from the upper plane toward the lower plane to connect the base section of the first channel with the first edge member and the intermediate member, respectively; the third and fourth sides extend from the upper plane towards the lower plane to connect the base section of the second channel with the second edge member and the intermediate member, respectively.

18. Guiaydrenaje elensamblajede claim 17, where the first, second, third and fourth sides are parallel to each other.

19. A shower door assembly comprising: a panel of first and second sliding doors; a top groove adapted to support the first and second sliding doors to allow longitudinal movement along the groove, where the first and second sliding doors are transversally separated by the upper groove; and a lower guide and drainage assembly according to claim 14 located along the upper groove; where the first guide channel of the guide and drainage assembly allows longitudinal movement and limits the transverse movement of the edge portion of the first sliding door; and wherein the second guide channel allows longitudinal movement and limits the transverse movement of part of edge of the second sliding door.

20. A guide and drainage assembly comprising: a drainage channel having a base wall and first and second side walls extending along a longitudinal axis; and a cover extending over the channel, with at least one guide channel extending along the longitudinal axis and located between the first and second edge members, the at least one guide channel is formed by a first base section located between the first and second sides; The at least one guide channel is of such a size to position an edge portion of a sliding door of a shower door assembly, wherein the base section of the at least one guide channel defines a series of longitudinally extending openings and they provide a fluid communication between the guide channel and the drainage channel.